NALLELY ELIZONDO CLASS-2025-
What is Ecology?Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment.
-
OrganismA single living thing (e.g., a deer).
-
PopulationA group of the same species living together (e.g., a herd of deer).
-
CommunityDifferent species living in the same area (e.g., deer, rabbits, and trees).
-
EcosystemAll living things (plants, animals) and non-living things (air, water, soil) in an area.
-
BiosphereThe part of Earth where all life exists.
-
Producers (Plants)Make their own food using sunlight.
-
Consumers (Animals)Eat other organisms for energy.
-
HerbivoresEat plants (e.g., deer).
-
CarnivoresEat animals (e.g., wolves).
-
OmnivoresEat both plants and animals (e.g., bears).
-
Decomposers (Fungi, Bacteria)Break down dead plants and animals.
-
Food ChainA simple way to show energy flow (e.g., grass → rabbit → fox).
-
Food WebMany food chains connected together.
-
Water CycleWater moves through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
-
Carbon CycleCarbon moves between air, plants, animals, and back into the air.
-
Nitrogen CycleBacteria help turn nitrogen into a form plants can use.
-
WeatherShort-term conditions (e.g., rain today).
-
ClimateLong-term weather patterns (e.g., deserts are always dry).
-
MigrationSome animals move to different areas based on seasons, food availability, or breeding needs.
-
Natural SelectionOrganisms with helpful traits survive and pass them to their offspring.
-
StructuralPhysical traits (e.g., thick fur on polar bears).
-
BehavioralActions (e.g., birds flying south for winter).
-
PhysiologicalInternal changes (e.g., snakes producing venom).
